Writing Theory

• The Stages of Writing
• The Developmental Stages of Writing with pictures
• The Writing Process
• Independent Writing

• Home/School Writing Connection
  • Young Authors and Artists Collaborate On Humanitarian Project
  • Parents: The Reading/Writing Connection
  • Help Your Child Learn to Write

Writing Practices

• Instructional Models
  • Shared Writing - Lesson Plan
  • Shared Writing Archive
  • Shared Writing - Definitions and Examples
  • Interactive Writing - Dialogue Journals
  • Interactive Writing - Definition, Examples, Helpful Hints
• Journal Writing
  • Journal Writing with Author Virginia Hamilton
  • Study Web: Journal Writing: Links
  • Journal Writing Every Day: Teachers Say it Really Works!
  • Dialogue Journals: Interactive Writing to Develop Language and Literacy
  • Dialogue Journals
  • Literacy Resources, including Dialogue Journals, Language Experience Approach, etc.

•  The Writing Workshop Approach
  • Reading and Writing Workshop One teacher's approaches
  • Learning to Read by Writing: Writing Workshop
• Praise, Question, Polish
  • Praise, Question Polish Printable chart
  • Sample Application: The Grouchy Ladybug
    • Grouchy Ladybug - Linking Technology and Literacy
    • The Grouchy Ladybug Literature Unit Study
    • Lesson Ideas for The Grouchy Ladybug
• Assessment of Writing Proficiencies
  • Can Card A rubric for proofreading
  • Sentences, Paragraphs, and Punctuation Self-guided student help with basic writing issues
• Spelling
  • Spelling Activities

• BCPS Essential Curriculum

Writing Applications

• Writing to Inform
  • Writing a Recount
  • The Daily News Using headlines to generate informative writing
  • Flat Stanley Writing a friendly letter
• Writing to Persuade
  • Writing an argument
  • How to Write a Book Review!
• Writing to Express Personal Ideas
  • Writing a Narrative
  • A "Tail" to Tell Lesson in which students write a sequel to a version of The Three Little Pigs
  • A Message in a Bottle Lesson in which students "create an imaginary tale of travel and adventure
  • I Imagine A sensory description lesson
  • Team Stories Group creative writing lesson
  • Local History and Family Stories
  • The Never-Ending Story
• Speaking Skills
  • Giggle Time Lesson in which children share jokes, riddles and such
  • Tips for Talks Help site from Online Literacy
  • Can Card Student learning log for speaking activities
• Chanting and Singing
  • Children's Music and Songs Directory of educational music links
  • Sing, America, Sing! Lesson on citizenship involving, listening, discussion, writing, and singing
  • Haunted House Halloween-themed Think Quest with language arts features, including student-generated lyrics to well-known 'spooky' tunes

• Sample activity, "Chicka Chicka Boom Boom"
  • "Chicka" Lesson and Activity
  • "Chicka" choral reading lesson, integrating technology skills
• Music Room's Verse Composer
• Storytelling
  • Storytelling Activities by Dianne de Las Casas
  • Storytelling in the Classroom by Story Arts Online
  • Kids' Storytelling Club by Storycraft Publishing
  • Wacky Web Tales Playful storytelling using parts of speech plug-ins
  • Bags of Fun A "Three Little Pigs" storytelling lesson
• Creative Drama
  • Creative Drama Activities: Grade 2 -3
  • The Creative Dramatics Cookbook: Recipes for Playmaking by Kelley O'Rourke, including a creative drama lesson for "A Story, A Story"
• Conversation
  • Questioning and Clarifying Help with conversation and group discussions
  • The Kidlink Network Join a safe, international, kids' conversation site!
• Oral Composing
  • Story Creations Ideas for individual or group oral story compositions
  • Impromptu Speech Topics List of fun, creative topics
• Choral Reading
  • Choral Speaking for Children Directory of links
  • Poems for School Poems and activities for read-aloud and recitation

Writing and Technology